‘Evil people’: Testimony at sentencing for couple who starved son to death reveals extent of abuse

Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com

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4:50 am CST, Thursday, January 17, 2019

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‘Evil people’: Testimony at sentencing for couple who starved son to death reveals extent of abuse

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JERSEYVILLE – Parents Michael and Georgena Roberts were sentenced Wednesday to 25 and 20 years, respectively, on first-degree murder charges in the starvation death of a 6-year-old boy last year.

The sentencing came after an often-emotional hearing at the Jersey County Courthouse.

The two pleaded guilty to withholding food from Liam Roberts over an almost two-year period, resulting in Liam’s death in November 2017. Michael Roberts was his biological father; Georgena Roberts was his stepmother.

In announcing the sentence, Chief Circuit Judge Eric S. Pistorius described the case as “incomprehensible” and “beyond comprehension” several times.

The two faced up to 60 years in prison on the charge. They will get credit for time already in jail, but will have to serve the entire sentence.

“We’re all glad to see the conclusion of this case,” the statement said. “It has been a tireless, disheartening process for both the family as well as those involved in the investigation and prosecution. The two solely responsible for the death of this beautiful child will now spend the better part of their adult lives in prison, where they belong.

“While we’ll never forget Liam, we hope the family and the community can now begin to heal from the trauma of this horrific crime,” it continued. “We have to remember that by the actions of these two individuals, Liam’s siblings lost not only a brother, but two parents that won’t be there to see them grow. We wish those kids the very best as they try to move forward with their lives.”

Prosecutors maintained that the two starved Liam and his 7-year-old brother as a form of punishment.

The sentences were at the low end of the spectrum, with Pistorius noting several factors, including a lack of prior criminal history for both and a number of mental health issues for Georgena Roberts. He said she suffered from serious mental illness that “substantially” affected her actions and left her with behavioral and personality disorders.

One of the major aggravating factors was that both defendants held a position of trust.

“This is the one that no one can get past,” he said. “For this to have occurred is beyond comprehension.”

Kim Roberts talked about the quality of a good father, saying, “Mike failed at all of these.” She said Liam died terrified and alone and that it was necessary to punish the “evil people” who killed her “beautiful son.”

Woelfel described the investigation, sometimes in graphic detail. Woelfel described how Michael Roberts received a call from Georgena Roberts while he was at work, with Michael Roberts asking, “Is he breathing?” He noted that after making the call, Georgena Roberts put Liam on a couch, put his brother in the car and went to pick up the other children at school. Liam was taken to the hospital several hours later.

Both defendants also gave emotional statements, with Georgena Roberts sobbing through much of the hearing.

The charges were originally filed Nov. 6, 2017. According to testimony from Woelfel, the couple’s actions began shortly after the couple was married and about 18 months prior to Liam’s death.

According to Woelfel, school personnel noted Liam was so obsessed with food “when he came to school he would literally eat food off the floor.” Woelfel said that the night before Liam’s death, the two boys were given bologna, the other children ate chicken strips and fries and the couple had steak.

At the time of his death, Liam reportedly weighed 17 pounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average weight of a 6 year old is 45 pounds.

The parents had previously been the subject of a DCFS complaint in January 2016, which alleged there was insufficient food in the household. However, a pediatrician concluded that Liam Robert’s low body weight was due to a medical issue and DCFS closed the case.

Police had been to the house several times in the six months prior to Liam’s death, according to neighbors. Woelfel also said neighbors later told police they had never seen the boys.

“Neighbors did not even know Liam (and his brother) existed,” Woelfel said.

Both Roberts’ attorneys acknowledged the nature of the crime, but asked for leniency.

Both defendants then made emotional statements.

Michael Roberts said he was a “coward” and Liam, who he described as “my special little boy,” paid the price.

Georgena Roberts apologized, saying, “My heart is shattered and I will be forever broken.”